Dr. Feelgood (album)
Dr. Feelgood is the fifth studio album by American heavy metal band Mötley Crüe, released on September 1, 1989. It is widely considered to be their best-selling and most critically acclaimed album. It marked a significant turning point in the band's career, signaling a move towards a cleaner, more polished sound and a renewed focus on sobriety.
Background and Recording:
Following years of heavy drug and alcohol abuse, the band members, particularly Nikki Sixx, were at a low point. Manager Doug Thaler intervened and convinced the band to enter rehab. Sober and with a newfound commitment to their music, Mötley Crüe enlisted producer Bob Rock to helm the album. Rock pushed the band to their limits, demanding perfection and encouraging experimentation. The recording process was intense and demanding, but ultimately proved successful in refining the band's sound.
Musical Style and Themes:
Dr. Feelgood exhibits a blend of hard rock, heavy metal, and glam metal influences. The album is characterized by its driving rhythms, catchy hooks, and polished production. Lyrically, the songs explore themes of addiction, excess, sex, and rebellion, but with a more mature and introspective perspective than their earlier work.
Track Listing:
The album features several hit singles, including:
- "T.n.T. (Terror 'n Tinseltown)"
- "Dr. Feelgood"
- "Slice of Your Pie"
- "Rattlesnake Shake"
- "Kickstart My Heart"
- "Without You"
- "Same Ol' Situation (S.O.S.)"
- "Sticky Sweet"
- "She Goes Down"
- "Don't Go Away Mad (Just Go Away)"
- "Time for Change"
Reception and Legacy:
Dr. Feelgood was a commercial and critical success, reaching number one on the Billboard 200 chart and selling over six million copies in the United States. It spawned several hit singles and cemented Mötley Crüe's status as one of the biggest rock bands in the world. The album is widely regarded as a classic of the hard rock genre and is credited with influencing a generation of musicians. The album's success also helped to revitalize the band's career, allowing them to continue touring and recording for years to come.